NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Giving public schools across the Volunteer State the choice to post the Ten Commandments is the goal of a Middle Tennessee lawmaker. Critics say the idea crosses the line of religious freedom, but supporters say the Ten Commandments are a founding historical document of our country. News 2 spoke with all sides.
“The fact is, if we lived by those Ten Commandments, we could pretty much shut down our jails and we’d all be in a lot better place as a country and as a state,” said state Rep. Michael Hale (R-Smithville).
That’s one reason Hale would like public schools to have the opportunity to post the Ten Commandments, if they so choose.
“The big thing is we’re not forcing anybody to do anything,” said Hale.
Hale’s legislation, House Bill 0047, allows local school boards and public charters to display other documents such as the Declaration of Independence, the federal and state Constitutions, and the Bill of Rights, among others. However, according to religious experts, the Ten Commandments can get tricky.